Rose plant `Ginny`

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of miniature rose plant characterized by its buds and high-centered, heavy-petalled blooms of red and white borne in abundance throughout the growing season, and further characterized by the bushy upright plant, well-branched with fairly short internodes, which is easy to propagate from cuttings.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety named"Ginny" of rose plant of the miniature rose class, which was originatedby my crossing as seed parent the floribunda rose known as "LittleDarling," U.S. Plant Pat. No. 1,581, and the miniature rose known as"Toy Clown," U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,909, as pollen parent.

Among the novel characteristics possessed by this new variety whichdistinguish it from its parents and all other varieties of which I amaware are: (1) high-centered blooms of red and white coloring, (2) anabundance of blooms with flowers borne singly, and occasionally severalto a stem in a loose cluster, (3) each bloom heavily petalled (about 60petals) to give a rounded effect when full-blown, (4) blooms oflong-lasting quality, both on the plant and after cutting, (5) awell-proportioned plant which is vigorous, of rounded upright shape, andshows off its blooms well against its glossy, reddish-green and deepgreen foliage, and (6) branches with fairly short internodes.

The present variety of miniature rose was originated by me in MarionCounty, Ind. Carefully controlled conditions and asexual reproduction bycuttings of the new variety as performed by me in Marion County, Ind.show that the foregoing and other distinguishing characteristics cometrue to form and are established and transmitted through succeedingpropagations.

The accompanying drawing shows a typical compact plant of the newvariety with typical vegetative growth and buds and flowers in differentstages of development, and as depicted in color as nearly true as it isreasonably possible to make the same in a color illustration of thischaracter.

The following is a detailed description of my new rose variety, withcolor terminology in accordance with The Royal Horticultural SocietyColor Chart (RHSCC), except where common dictionary terms of colordefinition are employed.

Type: Hardy, dwarf, rounded bush, seedling, greenhouse, outdoors, cutflowers, garden decoration, potted plant.

Class: Miniature.

THE FLOWER

Observations were made from specimens grown outdoors at Marion County,Ind., U.S.A. in June 1982.

Type: Miniature.

Blooming habit: Recurrent.

Bud:

Size.--Medium for miniature.

Form.--Pear-shaped.

Color.--When sepals first divide: white with red tip (52A and 52B). Whenpetals begin to unfurl: white with red edges (52B). When half-blown:inside of petals -- white and 20% edges shaded red (52C). Reverse sideof petals -- white with fine edge of red (52C).

Sepals.--Half again as long as the bud-thin pointed 3 of the 5 arefoliaceous.

Peduncle.--Average length 11/2", hairy, erect and stable, red changingto green in color.

Bloom:

Size.--11/4 To 11/2 inches when fully expanded.

Borne.--Singly, occasional sprays.

Form.--High-centered at first, opening to a slightly rounded bloom.

Petalage.--About 60.

Color.--During first two days: Inner petals at center of flower notvisible until about 5th day. Outer petals -- white with red border (52Aand 52B). Base of petals (point of attachment) pale green. Reverse ofpetals -- white-fine red edging (52A and 52B). General tonality from adistance -- red buds (52A and 52B).

Color change.--As bloom ages, red edges turn to pink (52D). Generaltonality -- white blossoms with red edges (52A and 52B). After three ormore days -- white with pinkish red (52C and 52D).

Petals:

Texture.--Thick.

Appearance.--Inside, slightly velvety; Outside, dull satiny.

Form.--Oval-small point at apex.

Arrangement.--Regularly arranged.

Petaloids in center.--Very few.

Persistence.--Whole bloom and peduncle fall off when spent.

Fragrance.--None.

Lasting quality.--Extremely slow opening on plant, keeps long inrefrigerator, good as cut flower.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

Stamens, filaments, and anthers:

Arrangement.--Regular.

Color.--Yellow.

Pollen: Yellow.

Styles: Bunch, uneven length.

Stigmas:

Color.--Red.

Hips:

Shape.--Round.

Size.--3/8" Diameter.

Color.--Orange-yellow when mature. One or two seeds protrudeoccasionally.

PLANT

Form: Upright and compact.

Growth: Vigorous and uniform branching.

Height attained.--15 To 18 inches.

Foliage: Mostly 5.

Size.--Medium for miniature.

Quantity.--Abundant.

Color.--New foliage: Upper side: Red. Underside: Red with pale greencenter. Old foliage: Upper side: Glossy dark green. Underside: Flatfinish green.

Shape.--Ovate-pointed.

Texture.--Upper side: Smooth and glossy. Underside: Raised veins.

Edge.--Serrated.

Serration.--Uniform-fine indentations -- denticulate.

Leaf Stem.--Color: Light green. Underside: Green.

Stipules.--Short -- slightly bearded -- pointed.

Disease resistance.--Blackspot -- good. Mildew -- fair. Rust -- good.

Wood:

New wood.--Color: Red. Bark: Smooth.

Old wood.--Color: Green. Bark: Smooth.

Thorns:

Thorns.--Quantity: Very few on main stalks from base. Very few onlaterals from stalk. Form: Straight and pointed. Length: 1/8". Color:Red when young. Position: Irregular.

Prickles.--Quantity: More prickles than thorns on main stalks. Moreprickles than thorns on laterals.

Winter hardiness: Needs some protection at 10° and lower. Mound of dirtor leaves.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of rose plant of the miniaturerose class, substantially as herein shown and described, characterizedparticularly by buds and flowers, which are generally white, edged withred in color, with many firm, thick petals, borne freely on a compact,bushy plant with reddish-green new foliage and dark green old foliage onbranches with fairly short internodes, said plant being easy topropagate from cuttings, and said blooms being long-lasting both on theplant and as cut flowers.